Holehird Garden in the Lake District made a beautiful destination for this most enjoyable excursion. Despite a poor weather forecast, the sun shone for most of the day. Members enjoyed a relaxing drive along the shores of Ullswater Lake, set within the breathtaking fells, followed by the spectacular climb over the Kirkstone Pass. Lunch was taken in Windermere and Bowness depending upon members’ choice. One member arranged to meet a cousin who she had not seen for over twenty years and had a most memorable time . After lunch the garden was visited, commencing with an informative talk by the Lakeside Horticultural Society representative, following which other members of the Society gave information and advice relating to a range of gardening matters and answered questions as members strolled around the garden. The return journey via Grasmere, Thirlsmere, and St John’s in the Vale was followed with an evening meal at Gretna which allowed members to chat happily about their day’s experience and share ideas for their future gardening projects.
The Whithorn Story and Roundhouse
There is so much to see in Whithorn these days. The highlight was of course the Iron Age Roundhouse and the introductory video gave all the details about the site, the original Roundhouse at Black Loch of Myrton nearby, with lots of details about the archaeological dig there from local boy Graeme Cavers.
The Roundhouse itself is magnificent and we were fortunate to have a real Iron Age man in handwoven clothes, he made himself to answer questions. Also fascinating was the weaving lady who works in the house doing her own spinning and dyeing with the original Iron Age techniques.
Those from our gardening groups were also interested in the medicinal herb bed and discovered St Ninian’s weed (or wort), which is a member of the absinthe family.
The Whithorn Museum has a wonderful display of artefacts found at the many digs in the area and the Priory Museum has the oldest Christian stone in Britain.